Eggs thrown at DPR over probe findings

JAKARTA (JP): Relatives and parents of students slain in the Trisakti and Semanggi shootings expressed disappointment at the findings of a House of Representative special committee investigating the incidents by throwing eggs during a House session on Monday.

Sumarsih, mother of the late Norma Irawan, one of the victims of the Semanggi cloverleaf shooting in 1998, threw eggs as the committee concluded their over eight-month long investigation by recommending further probes of the incidents.

At least four eggs landed on legislator seats as Sumarsih cried out: "The House is not the representative of the people!"

The House special committee submitted on Monday their investigation into the Trisakti and Semanggi shootings with a proposal that if necessary a human rights ad hoc tribunal be establishment for the case.

In a plenary House session, the special committee said the tribunal for the shootings at Trisakti University in 1998 and the Semanggi cloverleaf in 1998 and 1999 should be established through a presidential decree.

Special committee chairman Panda Nababan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said in his report that the government should also ask the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to conduct a special investigation into the cases.

Panda, however, pointed out that since the cases occurred before the issuance of Law No.26/2000 on a human rights court, the special investigative team could only conduct an investigation after the president issued a decree on an ad hoc tribunal.

"Without the legal authority (of the decree) it would be difficult for Komnas HAM to summon suspects or witnesses," Panda said.

Four students from Trisakti University were shot dead during an antigovernment rally on May 12, 1998, a precursor to the fall of former president Soeharto.

At least 16 students were shot dead at the Semanggi cloverleaf on Oct. 13, 1998, as they protested the convening of a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly. And 10 students were shot and killed at Semanggi on Sept. 24, 1999, as they protested against the passage of a state security law. (dja)